Enhancement of βα-recrystallization in β-form isotactic polypropylene during heating after roll deformation

Summary -form isotactic polypropylene shows -recrystallization behavior (recrystallization from - to -form) during slow heating. This is enhanced by deformation. -form specimen with uniaxially oriented lamellae was deformed by rolling, and -recrystallization was studied by DSC and x-ray diffraction. The result showed that (1) — recrystallization is promoted with the degree of deformation. (2) Deformed specimen shows -recrystallization from considerably low temperature compared with the undeformed one. (3) The recrystallized -form is c-axis-oriented along the roll direction. From these results the -recrystallization mechanism was discussed in view of -nucleus formation by deformation.     

Specific features of the phase transformations occurring during the sintering process of the beta-alumina based ceramics and their properties

Conclusions During the sintering process of beta-alumina obtained using the method of plasmochemical synthesis, the structural transformation occurs and it is accompanied by the separation of the excess Na₂O and the formation of an intergranular meltlike phase that is saturated with sodium and is characterized by high dielectric properties.The quantity of the meltlike phase and the magnitude of the /( + ) ratio determine the degree of stabilization (stability) and the final resistivity of the material and depend on the initial chemical composition and the heating rate maintained during the sintering process.It was shown that when the duration of residence of the material in the hot zone of the furnace is increased or when the specimens sintered maintaining high heating rates are subjected to additional heat treatment, one observes the occurrance of the reverse structural transformation that is characterized by an increase of the phase ratio /( + ) 1, a reduction in the quantity of the meltlike phase right up to its complete disappearance, and a decrease of the electrical resistivity of the material.In the materials having a large excess quantity of sodium oxide, the process of crystallization of the intergranular NaAlO₂ phase occurs simultaneously with the second phase transformation.The best ceramic and electrophysical parameters were obtained when sintering the material contained 7.9% Na₂O.Translated from Ogneupory, No. 3, pp. 13–18, March, 1990.     

Textural and structural studies on nickel hydroxide electrodes. II. Turbostratic nickel (II) hydroxide submitted to electrochemical redox cycling

The textural and structural modifications involved in electrochemical redox cycling of turbostratic nickel (II) hydroxide has been investigated using X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy methods. It was found that during the first cycles, different phenomena compete: redox reactions which occur in the solid state, and ageing reactions via the solution. For the first galvanostatic charge performed at the C/5 rate in 4.5 N KOH, the direct oxidation of (II) to (III) and the ageing of (II) to (II) via the solution followed by the oxidation to (III) are in competition. The study of the discharge mechanism shows that the direct reduction (III)(II) is parallel to the reduction (III)(II) and the ageing of the turbostratic hydroxide via the solution. After the first cycle it was established that the alpha-generated (II) active phase consisted of a mixture of two kinds of particles, the oxidation of which follows two paths: (II)/(III) for the thicker particles and for the thinner (II)/(III), but these latter (II) particles aged via the solution by Oswald ripening and the (II)/(III) couples swung to (II)/(III).     

Low Tc growth transitions in isotactic polypropylene: β to α and α to smectic phases

Summary Two growth transitions are observed by optical microscopy in the low T_c range (105–80°C) of isotactic polypropylene (iPP): to and to (probably) smectic phases. These transitions (notably to ) may be the cause of the complicated annealing and recrystallization behaviour of iPP, which is known to depend on the initial crystallization and post-crystallization thermal history.     

Electrochemical behaviour of viologen-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes. The case of non-alkyl group substituted viologen

The electrochemical behavior of non-alkyl substituted viologen, 4,4-dibenzyl bipyridinium (BzV), 4,4-dicyanophenyl bipyridinium (CyV) and -,-,-cyclodextrin (, , -CD) was studied using cyclic voltammetry and a spectroelectrochemical method. It was found that BzV and Fe(CN) ₆ ^4– formed a charge-transfer (CT) complex with a ratio of 21 and the colour of the solution faded with the addition of an electrolyte. This behaviour is the same as in then-heptyl viologen and ferrocyanide system [1]. BzV, -CD and -CD formed an inclusion complex only in the reduced state, whilst BzV and -CD formed an inclusion complex in both the oxidized and the reduced state. An EC scheme in which a chemical reaction follows an electrochemical reaction was considered to predominate in the BzV and -, -CD systems, while a CE scheme in which a chemical reaction preceded an electrochemical reaction predominated in the BzV and -CD system. On the other hand, CyV was found to form an inclusion complex with -, -, -CD in both the oxidized and the reduced states. therefore a CE scheme was considered to predominate in the CyV--, -, -CD systems.     

Effect of crystallinity on the dynamic mechanical relaxations of poly(butylene isophthalate)

Summary The viscoelastic spectrum of poly(butylene isophthalate) annealed at 90 °C for different times has been examined by dynamic mechanical spectroscopy.Crystallinity affects both the main a absorption associated with the glass to rubber transition and the sub-ambient secondary relaxation region. The latter results from two overlapping processes, ₁ and ₂, that have been evidentiated by a resolution procedure. Values of 52 and 76 kJ/mol have been obtained for the activation energies of the low (₁) and high (₂) temperature component respectively. It is suggested that these values are not affected by the methylene chain length and by the isomerism of the phthaloyl residue.     

On the NiMoO4 oxidative dehydrogenation of propane to propene: some physical correlations with the catalytic activity

The - and -phases of NiMoO₄ have been investigated with different techniques (X-ray diffraction, electrical conductivity, IR spectroscopy) in order to tentatively rationalise the different catalytic activities observed in the oxidative dehydrogenation of propane to propene. XRD analyses have shown that at 595 ° C, the -phase is already present but a temperature of 700 ° C is required to obtain a full conversion into a pure -phase. Electrical conductivity showed the presence of anionic vacancies. It is proposed that propene is formed by the reaction of propane with surface O^2- anions. The -phase is almost twice more selective in propene formation than the -phase for comparable conversion at identical temperatures. This could derive from different oxygen environments on the active catalytic site.     

Orientation of boll weevil,Anthonomus grandis boh. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), to pheromone and volatile host compound in the laboratory

Behavioral responses of male and female boll weevils to the aggregation pheromone, grandlure, and the major volatile of cotton, -bisabolol, were investigated using a new dual-choice olfactometer. Dosage-response experiments revealed both males and females to be attracted by the aggregation pheromone at the 1.0 g dosage. However, only males were attracted to -bisabolol (1.0 g). Both sexes were repelled by the highest dosage of-bisabolol tested (10 g). In preference experiment, males chose grandlure over -bisabolol, while both sexes chose the combination of grandlure + -bisabolol over -bisabolol alone. There was some evidence for synergism between pheromone and plant odor for the females. The results correlate well with previous electrophysiological and behavioral experiments.Mention of a trademark, proprietary product, or vendor does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of the product by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and does not imply its approval to the exclusion of other products or vendors that may also be suitable.     

Variation in aphid alarm pheromone content among glandular and eglandular-hairedMedicago accessions

Pea (Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris) and blue alfalfa aphid (A. kondoi Shinji) deterrency in alfalfa (Medicago saliva L.) may result from incorporating higher levels of the aphid alarm pheromone,(E)--farnesene relative to(E)--caryophyllene. We evaluated five eglandular and two glandular-haired alfalfa accessions for differences in(E)--farnesene and(E)--caryophyllene content under glasshouse conditions using supercritical fluid extraction and gas chromatography. In addition, pea and blue alfalfa aphid olfactory behavioral tests were conducted uponMedicago species containing different ratios of(E)--famesene relative to(E)--caryophyllene. No differences in(E)--caryophyllene content were observed among the seven entries (=0.42 ng/g plant material). Significant differences (P 0.05) among entries were observed for(E)--famesene content, with KS94GH6 exhibiting the highest (1.18 ng/g), and CUF 101 the lowest levels (0.35 ng/g). Elite tetraploid sources possessed significantly lower levels (=0.42 ng/g) of(E)--farnesene than did wild and cultivated diploid accessions (=0.83 ng/g). Olfactory behavioral tests for both the pea and blue alfalfa aphids demonstrated KS94GH6 repelled aphids while cultivated alfalfa types attracted aphids in each case. Previously demonstrated aphid resistance in diploid KS94GH6 may result from superior(E)-- farnesene levels, but(E)--farnesene is probably not a factor in cultivated alfalfa resistance. Finally, accession KS94GH6 could act as an excellent germplasm resource for the incorporation of higher(E)--farnesene levels into cultivated alfalfa.Research supported by the New Mexico State University Agricultural Experiment Station.     

Aggregation arrestant pheromone of the German cockroach,Blattella germanica (L.) (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae): Isolation and structure elucidation of blattellastanoside-A and -B

The aggregation pheromone of the German cockroach,Blattella germanica, consists of attractant and arrestant, which can be detected by olfactometer and choice-chamber assay, respectively. Both were extracted from the frass-contaminated filter paper being used as a shelter. They were separated by solvent partition withn-butanol and water. The arrestant from then-butanol phase was purified by open column chromatography and then successive HPLC isolated two major arrestant components. Spectral evidence from SI-MS, HR-EI-MS, and NMR experiments with pulse techniques provided possible structures as 1-(6-chloro-4,5-epoxy-5-stigmast-3-yl)--d-glucopyranoside and 1-(6-chloro-5-hydroxy-5-stigmast-3-yl)--d-glu-copyranoside, denoted as blattellastanoside-A and blattellastanoside-B, respectively. They represented arrestant activity as median effective doses (ED₅₀) at 0.044 (A) and 3.2 (B) nmol on 1.0 cm² of Whatman No. 1 filter paper.     

Composition dependence of the oxygen-evolution reaction rate on Ir x Ti1−x O2 mixed-oxide electrodes

Mudcrack-free oxide films of Ir _x Ti_1–x O₂ (0 < x 1) on titanium substrates were obtained, and the effects of the oxide composition on the rate of oxygen-evolution reaction were investigated. At x 0.6, Ir-rich grains appear on the mudcrack-free surface. In the purely single-phase region (0 < x 0.5), the pseudo-capacitive charge is proportional to the surface composition, x _s, and the exchange-current density for the oxygen-evolution reaction increases linearly with x _s at 0.2 x _s 0.5, with an extrapolated intercept at x _s 0.15, below which the oxides are inactive.     

Evidence for the amphiphilic structure of partially hydrogenolyzed poly(β-malic acid benzyl ester)

Summary Acidic copolymers of the poly(-hydroxy-acid) type containing -malic acid (hydrophilic) and -malic acid benzyl ester (hydrophobic) repeating units in various proportions are prepared by two differentes routes : — catalytic hydrogenolysis of the benzyl ester bonds of homopoly(-malic acid benzyl ester) and — chemical coupling of benzyl alcohol to poly(-malic acid). In attempts to account for the route-dependence of the physico-chemical properties of resulting copolymers, GPC in aqueous medium and measurements of the solubility of Yellow OB, a lipophilic dye, in aqueous solutions have been carried out. The results are discussed in regard to the sequence distributions of hydrophilic and hydrophobic repeating units.     

Gasless Combustion of Ti–Al Bimetallic Multilayer Nanofoils

Ti–Al multilayer foils were produced magnetron vacuum deposition. The microstructure period varied in the range of 5–110 nm, the number of layers was 150–4700, and the total thickness of a multilayer foil reached 15–20 m. The gasless combustion of the foils was studied. Steadystate and pulsating combustion regimes were revealed; combustion temperatures were determined for both regimes. It was shown that the most probable mechanism of the selfpropagating reaction is the diffusion of Al in Ti at a temperature close to the temperature of the transition.     

Crystallization of barium diborate glass

The conditions for crystallization of a new modification of barium diborate in the glass of stoichiometric composition are investigated. This modification is characterized using X-ray diffraction analysis. In order for the -BaO 2B₂O₃ modification to crystallize, the glass should be purified from dissolved gases and have an undisturbed fire-polished surface. Otherwise, the modification crystallizes under the same conditions. The melting temperature of the -BaO 2B₂O₃ modification is determined to be T _melt = 805°C. Upon heating, the modification in the form of a powder transforms into the modification, whereas the modification in the form of a polycrystalline monolithic sample remains stable up to the melting temperature.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Fizika i Khimiya Stekla, Polyakova, Pevzner.     

Conformation study on the interactions of plasma proteins with anionic lipids and heparin

Summary Effects of anionic lipids and heparin on the conformation of plasma proteins, such as albumin, -globulin, and fibrinogen were investigated by evaluating both -helix and -structure contents from circular dichroism (CD) spectra. Sodium dodecyl sulfate and sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate increased the -helix content of -globulin, and -structure content of fibrinogen accompanied with decreasing -helix content, while they stepwise disrupted the -helix of albumin with increasing their concentration. It was concluded that the hydrophobic interaction was predominant for binding albumin, while the electrostatic interaction affected the structural changes of -globulin more than hydrophobic interaction.     

Studies concerning charged nickel hydroxide electrodes I. Measurement of reversible potentials

Reversible potentials (E _R) have been measured for nickel hydroxide/oxyhydroxide couples over a range of KOH concentrations from 0·01–10 M. It is shown that the couples derived from the parent- and-Ni(OH)₂ systems can be distinguished by the relative change in KOH level on oxidation and reduction. In the case of couples derived from the-class of materials a dependence of 0·470 moles of KOH per 2e change is found compared with 0·102 moles of KOH per 2e change for the-class of materials. Couples derived from the- and-Ni(OH)₂ systems can be encountered in a series of activated and de-activated forms having a range of formal potentialsE ₀ . Activated. and de-activated-Ni(OH)₂/-NiOOH couples are found to lie in the range 0·443–0·470 V whilst-Ni(OH)₂/-NiOOH couples lie in the range 0·392–0·440 V w.r.t. Hg/HgO/KOH. It is demonstrated for de-activated,-Ni(OH)₂/-NiOOH couples thatE _R is independent of the degree of oxidation of the nickel cation between states of charge of 25% and 70%. SimilarlyE _R is constant for states of charge between 12% and 60% for activated-Ni(OH)₂/-NiOOH couples. The constant potential regions are considered to be derived from heterogeneous equilibria between pairs of co-existing phases both containing nickel in upper and lower states of oxidation. Differences inE ₀ between the activated and de-activated couples are considered to be related to the degree of order/disorder in the crystal lattice.     

Seasonal variation of lipids in femoral gland secretions of male green iguanas (Iguana iguana)

Femoral gland secretions were collected from 21 captive adult male green iguanas (Iguana iguana) in Orotina, Costa Rica, and San Diego, California, during the breeding (November) and nonbreeding (March) seasons. Lipids were extracted with methylene chloride, weighed, separated by thin-layer chromatography, and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Free and esterified C₁₄-C₂₆ fatty acids, 5-cholestan-3-ol (epico-prostanol), cholest-5-en-3-ol (cholesterol), cholest-5-en-24-methyl-3-ol (campesterol), cholesta-5,22-dien-24b-ethyl-3-ol (stigmasterol), cholesta-8,24(5)-dien-4,4,14-trimethyl-3-ol (lanosterol), cholest-5-en-24-ethyl-3-ol (-sitosterol), and two uncharacterized sterols were indicated. More lipids were recovered from femoral gland secretions obtained during the breeding than the nonbreeding months, indicating that secretion deposits may be more detectable during the mating season.     

Fertilizer requirements for specified yield targets. I. Theoretical derivation of mathematical models for the computation of soil and fertilizer nutrient efficiencies

The conventional deduction procedure of computation of soil () and fertilizer () nutrient efficiencies for the amount of fertilizer required for specified yield targets does not make provision of the amount of soil nutrient derived by crops from the available pool of soil nutrients not accounted for in the amount extracted by a soil test procedure. The derivation of two mathematical models, viz., Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Model I [TNAU Model I] and Model II [TNAU Model II] is reported in this paper which aim at computing the soil () and fertilizer () nutrient efficiencies not accounted for by the conventional method.In the case of TNAU Model I, the relationship between the nutrient uptake (U) and the soil (S) and the fertilizer (F) nutrients was established by assuming a functional relationship of the type U =S +F such that 0 1 and 0 1. In TNAU Model II the same relationship was established as U =S +F + such that 0 1, 0 1 and > 0. The term in the latter model is a measure of the amount of soil nutrient the crop absorbs from a slowly available pool of nutrients not accounted for in the amounts extracted by the soil test procedure employed or applied through fertilizer.The field verification of these models is reported elsewhere.     

Interfacial behaviour of various liquid electrode/β″-alumina systems

Three different liquid electrode/sodium-alumina interfaces were investigated. The NaNO₃/-alumina interface displays ohmic behaviour although the resistance is somewhat larger than expected. The sodium/-alumina interface exhibits asymmetric resistance with respect to d.c. current flow. Cyclic voltammetry results suggest that a Na₂O film is being modified electrochemically during the sweeps. When a sodium amalgam electrode is utilized, the film, if it is present, has very little effect. The asymmetric resistance is not observed and there is good agreement between d.c. and a.c. resistances after only a small amount of sodium deposition.     

Studies concerning charged nickel hydroxide electrodes. VI. Voltammetric behaviour for pre-cycled electrodes

In this study cyclic voltammetry/coulometry has been combined with oxygen volume measurements to identify the species giving the multiple anodic and cathodic peaks for a pre-cycled -Ni(OH)₂ starting material. A complex sequence of 1 and 2 electron transfer reactions involving several U/V and U/V coexisting phase pairs has been identified. This system is complicated by overlap of the various processes in some cases and also the chemical transformation of unstable -phases. As many as six anodic and four cathodic processes can be encountered depending on the charging history.